A kiss is a lovely trick, designed by nature, to stop speech when words become superfluous. So said Ingrid Bergman.
Alas, kissing is the actually mutual exchange of saliva, potentially passing on illnesses like brucellosis, HIV, meningitis and herpes. Not for nothing is infectious mononucleosis also known as glandular fever or kissing disease.
A kiss is a four-letter word that has made history. It has built bridges and poured oil over troubled waters, soothed furrowed brows and made it – whatever the ‘it’ might have been, better.
Sociologists and anthropologists tell us what we already knew anyway: that kisses are given for reasons of out of love, lust, respect, friendship, sealing agreements or vows, religious beliefs, and respect. The science of kissing is called philematology.
Well might Gilbert O’Sullivan ask What’s In A Kiss? Celebrities know that camera are turn in their direction – and play this to the hilt. Take Katy Perry, who made waves with her trashy song – and go on through all show-off female/female kisses intended to titillate men and get column space in...
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